Equity in Rural Public Transportation
On Monday, April 7, we spent the morning filming with Hibbing, Minnesota youth athlete, Jace Kampsula at our headquarters in Gilbert. The shoot was short—just a couple hours—but the message we captured matters.
The Message
Public transit plays a different role in rural communities than it does in urban ones. It’s not about avoiding traffic or dodging parking fees. It’s about access. For a lot of students in northeastern Minnesota, a ride on an Arrowhead Transit bus can mean getting to school on time, making it to a part-time job, or showing up for something important—without needing to borrow a car or rely on someone else’s schedule.
This campaign, which we’ve been calling BussMaxxing, isn’t about making public transit look different. It’s about showing the truth. Taking the bus can help young people save money, avoid unnecessary wear and tear on the family vehicle, and build real independence.
Jace brought exactly the energy we were hoping for. He showed up early, worked hard, and didn’t need a script. He gets it—because he’s from here, and he knows what it’s like to need a ride when nothing else is available.
Getting To and From Practice
Parents know that transportation is one of the biggest hidden costs in raising kids. Going to tournaments, meets, endless practices… year round. Between gas, insurance, repairs, and time, it adds up fast. Public transit offers a simple solution—not just for students, but for families trying to make everything work.
If you’ve never used Arrowhead Transit before, learn how to ride and see what routes are available in your area. We offer Dial-A-Ride service across multiple counties, and our commuter routes help residents travel between towns reliably and affordably. Want to try our system for free, contact our team today!
Connecting with the Home Team
We’re proud to have launched this campaign with Jace, and even prouder to serve the students, parents, and communities across our region.
So if you’ve seen the term BussMaxxing floating around or spotted a familiar face in our new content—this is what it’s about.
Because there’s a lot more riding on Arrowhead Transit than just people.
